Mark MacLean's unlikely discoveries in the drains of Newcastle

Mark MacLean spent a year walking through the open drains in his Newcastle suburb and found all sorts of amazing things, and people, there.

Image: Mark MacLean (ABC Local)

Broadcast date: Thursday 17 October

Around the older suburbs of many Australian cities are places that used to be wayward streams coursing along behind rows of houses. Decades ago, well-meaning councils tamed these streams with earthmoving equipment and concrete; now open drains snake through suburbs where these creeks used to run.

Mark MacLean walked with his dog through the drain in his local suburb of Newcastle, Styx creek. He took photos of the things he discovered there, and created a blog about it.

Mark's book is called A Year Down The Drain.

2013 update: Mark is working on another book, based on the people he's met down in the drains of Newcastle.

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